Lakemoor goes online for festival support

The renowned fireworks show at Lakemoor Fest was nearly snuffed out for this summer, but the big show is back on track and village officials are making it easier for residents to help pay for the event.

Village Administrator David Alarcon soon will be opening an online PayPal account for contributions to the festival, which is highlighted by a booming fireworks show that draws regional interest.

“It’s a lot easier than people coming to village hall and donating money and it’s more user friendly,” said Alarcon, whose idea was approved Thursday by the village board.

The village will be using various means to inform the public of the account, including the village website, its electronic message board along Route 120, on utility bills and through the Friends of Lakemoor Facebook page.

“We’re trying to utilize technology as much as possible to get the word out,” Alarcon said.

Lakemoor Fest draws between 30,000 and 40,000 and has become a summer highlight for residents. It is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 this year.

“If you drive through the village streets, it’s amazing,” Alarcon said. “It’s like Mardi Gras.”

The exclamation point on the event is a thumping, half-hour fireworks display shot from a peninsula in Lily Lake. Route 120 is closed to traffic during the show because of the large crowds.

But authorization of a contract not to exceed $24,000 with New Horizon Pyrotechnics, Inc. for this year’s show required a tiebreaking vote by Mayor Todd Weihofen.

“Everybody’s worried about the (village) budget for next year,” Weihofen said Friday. “They’re (the dissenters) just trying to be conservative.”

Local businesses have been the biggest supporters of the festival, through public donations and food and beverage sales.

“People expect it, but last year was the first year the festival paid for itself,” Weihofen said. “If it doesn’t pay for itself, we can’t put it on.”

Village officials this year want to broaden the funding base.

“We’re also looking for corporate sponsors with possible naming rights,” Alarcon said.